Category-specific draw

Express Entry Draw 255 | 1,500 Invited in Healthcare Draw

Published on: July 6th, 2023

The latest Canadian Express Entry draw was just held. Express Entry draw 255 saw a CRS score of 463 and invited 1500 candidates eligible for category-based selection in healthcare occupations.

Express Entry Draw 255

Date of Draw: July 6, 2023

Number of Invitations Issued: 1500

Minimum CRS: 463

Program Specified: Healthcare occupations (2023-1)

Tie-breaking rule: November 12, 2023 12:47:27 UTC

Do you know what your CRS score is?

Second Category-Specific Draw for Healthcare Occupations

Express Entry draw 255 issued 1500 Invitations to Apply (ITA) to candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) of 463. Today’s draw was the second category-specific draw for healthcare workers following last week’s draw. This means that all candidates for this draw were selected from a select number of healthcare occupations within the Express Entry pool.

Today’s draw is also the third of this week. Yesterday’s draw was a category-specific draw for STEM occupations. A total of 500 candidates were invited from select STEM occupations to apply. Category-specific draws have also seen a relatively lower CRS score compared to all-program draws. Today’s draw saw a CRS score of 463 compared to a CRS score of 511 for this week’s all-program draw, a whopping 48-point decrease.

Category-specific draws will allow the government to target those with skills and occupations most in demand in Canada. It will also be advantageous for those within these selected categories as the cut-off score will likely be lower than all-program draws. This will give more varied profiles and experiences a chance at selection by considering other factors than only CRS scores for these types of draws.

According to the IRCC, future draws will be a mix of all-program draws, category-specific draws and PNP-specific draws.

What Are the Eligible Healthcare Occupations for This Draw?

Occupation2021 NOC Code2021 TEER Category
Audiologists and speech language pathologists311121
Chiropractors312011
Dentists311101
Dieticians and nutritionists311211
Education counsellors413201
General practitioners and family physicians311021
Instructors of persons with disabilities422032
Kinesiologists and other professional occupation in therapy and assessment312041
Licensed practical nurses321012
Massage therapists322012
Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations331013
Medical laboratory technologists321202
Medical radiation technologists321212
Medical sonographers321222
Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates331023
Nurse practitioners313021
Nursing co-ordinators and supervisors313001
Occupational therapists312031
Optometrists311111
Other assisting occupations in support of health services331093
Other practitioners of natural healing322092
Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating312091
Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment321092
Paramedical occupations321022
Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants331033
Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals313031
Physiotherapists312021
Psychologists312001
Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses313011
Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists321032
Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine311001
Specialists in surgery311011
Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies413011
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists322002
Veterinarians311031

Will Express Entry Still Hold All-Program Draws?

Yes, Express Entry will hold different types of draws throughout the year, not just category-based draws. There will be three types of rounds:

  1. General round of invitations (all-program draws): General rounds of invitations invites the top-ranking candidates in the Express Entry pool who are eligible for 1 of the 3 Express Entry Programs. The 3 programs include the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
  2. Program-specific rounds of invitations: Program-specific rounds invite the top-ranking candidates who are eligible for a specific Express Entry program. For example, the IRCC often has draws specifically for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), where only candidates who are eligible for a PNP are invited.
  3. Category-based rounds of invitations: The Minister of Immigration will establish specific categories to meet specific economic goals across Canada. Once the categories are established, the top-ranking candidates in the pool who are eligible for this category will receive an invitation.

How Can I Apply for Express Entry?

Express Entry is a system used by the Canadian government to manage applications for Canadian permanent residency. Express Entry uses a point-based system, the CRS, to rank candidates’ profiles.

Applying to Express Entry is a two-step procedure. The first step is to submit your profile with the required documents. Required documents usually consist of language test results, educational credentials and passport or travel documentation.

After you submit a profile and receive an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence, you can submit your complete application for the IRCC to review. Your complete application should include supporting documents such as reference letters, additional identity documents, police clearance certificates, and results of a medical examination.

Interested in learning more about your options to enter the Express Entry pool? Complete our free online assessment form today!

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